A Chance Ecounter

He was breaking up with her, and for what? Ava Rutland held the phone tightly, and for a moment, she thought it would snap and shatter. Just like my heart. Stubborn, spoilt? He clearly hasn’t met my mother yet. “I have” “Uhm… I didn’t know I said that out loud. Well, for the record, you were clearly below my standards. My mother would have never approved of you. Not now! Not ever!” She ended the call abruptly after that. There goes the 6th relationship this year, and it was barely May. Staring at the mirror, all she could see was perfection. With her first nose job done at the age of 14, her chin, eyes, and forehead were all altered, and it cost twice the yearly amount her mum had to pay all their servants in their home. Look at you crying over a scumbag. She picked up her, phone and decided to delete their “Jave” account. But as she picked up the phone and took a glance at all the memories they made and pictures they had taken, she decided to give him a few days to get back to his senses. Ava decided it was best to call her assistant. Tessa always knew about the latest developments in Ava’s life and gave the best advice too. Surely this wasn’t a working hour but …Ava let her thoughts trail as she failed the number. “Hey, Tessa. I think I should apologize for calling at this hour but Jake thinks he’s better off without me. “Maybe he’s right”. “Tessa!” Who’s side are you on? I decided I’d give him a few days to get back to his senses. He didn’t bring up the spare keys to the penthouse, or my credit cards in his possession. Such a scumbag. Right, Tessa?” “What were his reasons for the breakup?” Tessa asked knowing fully well she saw it coming. Ava’s character was intolerable. “Said something about me being all about myself”. Ava scoffed. “I mean who else should I be all about”. “Maybe we’ll talk about this tomorrow okay? It’s way past my bedtime and I’d need to sign up for work very early tomorrow”. And with that, Tessa ended the call leaving Ava to her thoughts. Ava stood in front of her bathroom mirror staring at her reflection. She had tried to act like the breakup didn’t affect her a bit. But her composure came crumbling down and she felt the stinging sensation in her eyes. Before she could get control over her emotions, tears rolled down her cheeks. She hastily wiped it away, but more followed. Ava Rutland only heir to the Rutlands Empire, daughter to Mrs Racheal was breaking down and cause of a mere male when she had tons of them asking her attention. And both genders! But on the lighter side, Jake was by far the most handsome she had met. Her mind wandered back to memories they shared. The soft glow of candlelight on their last romantic evening in her penthouse. Jake's hazel eyes sparkled as he looked at her. His lean, muscular frame was inches from her. His gentle touch always sent shivers down her spine. Ava’s thoughts lingered on the way Jake’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. The way he called her name with so much tenderness made her feel cherished. The soft exploration of each other's mouths as they kissed. The memory was a bittersweet one, a reminder of what she had lost. But Jake’s was definitely a bigger loss. Yes! Ava’s eyes fluttered close and she let out a soft sigh, the ache in her heart still palpable. As she turned to leave the bathroom while trying to compose herself, she bumped into someone at the door. “Sorry ma’am” her maid Maria apologized steadying herself. Ava’s emotions boiled over “Watch where you’re going, Maria! You’re always so clumsy. Maria took a step back, hurt evident in her face. “I’m so sorry ma’am. I didn’t mean to intrude. Ava’s anger and embarrassment at being seen crying only intensified her outburst. “Get out of her, just get out right now!” Maria quickly retreated, leaving Ava alone once more. All her life she’s always felt alone and growing up with a hard-hearted Racheal who was never seen showing emotions only made matters worse. Ava’s tears flowed freely now mingling with anger and frustration. She felt alone and vulnerable. No, you shouldn’t be crying over someone’s loss Ava Rutland. Brace yourself! Ava decided she was going to celebrate. It was his loss and not hers. She was going to the penthouse. She’d savor the crisp taste of champagne while enjoying the cool night’s breeze and lop long out through the windows, gazing at the city lights twinkling below. Yes I’d do just that At the penthouse, Ava raised her glass in a toast to herself, savoring the taste of the champagne. It was even better than she imagined. She felt liberated. Thinking about it now the relationship was kind of toxic, but she wasn’t going to base tonight on the past. As she sipped, the sound of the music began to blur and she felt a buzzing in her head. At first, she dismissed the freaks and grains of the old mansion as mere imagination, but soon the noises grew louder and more intense. She tried to shake off the feeling of unease, telling herself that she was just tipsy. The wine sure is working overtime. But as she looked around, the shadows seemed to move and twist, like dark fingers reaching out to search her. The lights flickered, and then in an instant, everything went black! Ava’s heart raced as she stumbled through the darkness desperate to find a way out. But the silence was oppressive, and she felt like she was being watched by unseen eyes. Oh God! “Where’s my phone, I need to call someone, anyone, something isn’t right here. Ava spoke to herself amidst the panic in her heart and the throbbing in her head. Suddenly, a faint whisper seemed to caress her ear “This is just the beginning”. The darkness was absolute, and Ava was left alone, with no voice to scream.